Late Summer in the garden

You can tell it is late summer now. The roses had a break and some are now flowering again.  the agapanthus is flowering - above is 'Flower of Love'. This one didn't flower at all last year, so I repotted it this spring and it has rewarded me with ten flowering stems. 

Silver Baby is also flowering - four flower stems after I repotted it.  I really like the delicate pale blue colouring of this one

I remember an agapanthus grower on TV saying the plants do like to be potted on each year, which goes against the 'they like to be crammed in a pot' wisdom.  Personally, I am not sure that any plants likes to be crammed in a pot.  

This pelargonium 'Candy Flower' was bought earlier in the year and once potted on, sat and sulked for a few weeks.  However, it has come into its own now with these beautiful pinks.

This compact oregano was also bought earlier in the year and has been attracting bees through the summer.  I potted it on once, but I think it may need potting on again next year.

Finally, late summer into (whisper it) Autumn, here is the first apple from my little patio apple tree.  It is the variety 'James Grieve' which can be used as a cooking apple or eating one.  It is a little tart but quite delicious. It will need a bigger pot next year too, I think.  I took quite a few of the smaller apples off  earlier in the year as I didn't prune the tree at all last year (oops), so it has rather long shoots.  There are seven large apples altogether and I picked another one today.  I will prune it in Winter this year. 

Lots to enjoy as summer slowly begins to move to autumn.
 

The start of the roses (and a couple of other plants...)

June is the month for roses and mine are just starting to bloom.  (I have no doubt further rose-based posts will follow once they really get going).  Above is Olivia Rose Austin - grown in a pot, really healthy and beautiful.

This is Winchester Cathedral which is really pretty but has got blackspot, so I am debating whether to keep it or not. It is also in a pot and that may be the problem, or it may just not be that healthy.

My favourite (don't tell the others) Gertrude Jekyll, growing in the border, with a gorgeous scent.

Kew Gardens looking pretty too.  

Other plants are joining in  with the roses.  Here is one of the alliums in the border.

This is geranium St Ola which I bought bare root from Wilkos.  It has lovely delicate white flowers and bright pink stamen stems, which I hadn't expected!

Finally, here is my little patio apple tree (James Grieve) which had lovely blossom earlier in the year and now has apples forming.  What a treat to be able to pick and eat my own apples!

More to enjoy in the garden

 Despite the continued night frosts, the garden continues to grow and change.  The days have been sunny and the garden has appreciated this, although it has been very dry. I think that is due to change tomorrow (a bank holiday, of course it will rain!)

The always lovely combination of Magnolia Susan against the lilac and a bright blue sky.

Tulip 'Danceline' in the border - I have three of these which have come back for two years so far.

A pot of tulip 'Ronaldo' which I love.  (My favourite Ballerina tulips, bought new and planted in a pot last November have been really disappointing, stunted and not happy, unlike the ones in the border.)

My patio apple tree has beautiful pink and white blossom which lifts the spirits.  Tulip Brown Sugar and Ballerina are in the background.

I removed the flowers last year as it was a new plant but have left them this year. I may even get an apple or two.

An unnamed double camellia which had its earlier flowers attacked by a marauding caterpillar (rude!).  However, this one makes up for the loss of the previous ones.

Finally, a touch of sunshine at the front door from this pot of tulips.  I have been busy in the garden this morning, repotting a saxifrage and a palm; broadcasting some annual seeds, just to see whether they will grow anyway, despite not having carefully drawn rows to be planted into; planting some hardy geraniums and watering a few things.  I also removed a couple of roses in pots which were not happy and which had black spot already.  Sometimes, you have to admit defeat. but on the plus side, it gives me more planting opportunities!

I hope May will bring some rain and good growing weather.